Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch wherein a fluid medium functions in response to ambient temperature changes to transmit torque between relatively rotatable input and output members by variably filling a predetermined shear space therebetween with a viscous fluid medium, the shear space consisting of interdigitated concentric annular grooves formed on adjacent faces of the input and output members, each groove being approximately 0.060 inch wide and 0.270 inch deep, with the lands separating adjacent grooves being approximately 0.040 inch wide, and the fluid medium used in conjunction therewith having a viscosity of approximately 3,000 centistokes, the combination producing improved results with respect to inhibiting boiling of the radiator coolant and prolonging fluid medium operational life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating and adjusting the toe-setting for a front axle assembly, including means for clamping against oppositely disposed brake backing plate mounting surfaces, with cooperating sensor means for indicating toe-in or toe-out before and during manual adjustment of the tie rod to establish a desired toe-setting.

Abstract: A door hold-open mechanism including a door hinge member and a body bracket member pivotally interconnected by a hinge pin, a hinge sector secured to the hinge member and having at least four door stop detent slots or pockets formed therein, a directional cam pivotally mounted on the hinge pin and frictionally connected to the hinge sector and having a pair of seats and an intermediate cam slot formed thereon adjacent the detent slots, a torque-rod mounted on the bracket member, a roller mounted on an end portion of the torque-rod and urged by the torque-rod into one of the four detent slots of the hinge member when the door is stopped and urged by an edge of the intermediate cam slot onto the adjacent seat of the directional cam while the door is in motion, overriding the detent slots until the door is once again stopped.

Abstract: An automotive trunk lid latch assembly including a housing, a pair of latching members and a cam member, each rotatably mounted in the housing, a shaft extending into the housing from a lock cylinder assembly and adapted to rotate the cam member in response to manual rotation of a key in the lock cylinder assembly, and a spring-loaded lever rotatably mounted intermediate the cam member and one of the latching members and retained therebetween by the end of the shaft, and adapted to be rotated by the cam member to, in turn, unlatch the latching members. In the event of removal of the shaft, the spring-loaded lever will snap away from the cam member into an inoperable position, thus preventing any unlatching operation thereafter by the insertion of a probe or a screwdriver to rotate the cam member.

Abstract: A vehicular bucket seat arrangement adapted to being readily assembled into a vehicle body, the apparatus including an anchor bracket mounted on the floor of the underbody adapted to receive into one side thereof a locator bracket operatively connected to the inboard seat adjustment track, and a pair of mounting flanges operatively connected to the outboard seat adjustment track and adapted to being secured to the rocker panel portion of the underbody once the locator bracket has been pivotally force-fitted into the anchor bracket.

Abstract: An automotive engine cooling fan assembly including asymmetrical plastic fan blades and a torsion bar interconnecting each blade to the hub of the assembly, the asymmetrical blades responding to both aerodynamic and centrifugal forces to reduce the pitch thereof at high fan speeds, the entire fan blade subassembly being rotated as a result of the twisting of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive shear drive-type fan clutch including a bourdon tube arrangement for actuating the valve plate controlling flow of shear drive fluid from the reservoir chamber to the working chamber, and external chamber means containing a suitable thermal-sensitive expanding fluid adapted to cause the bourdon tube to straighten in response to increased ambient temperature.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system particularly suitable for recreational vehicles, providing high front end ground clearance therefor, the system including a pair of forwardly extending torque-reaction struts, each extending from a pivotal connection along the side of the automotive frame to a location adjacent the center of one of the front wheels for connection therewith of a steering knuckle and wheel support member, with upper and lower lateral control arms being pivotally mounted between respective upper and lower portions of the support member and portions of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: The control mechanism described herein includes an instrument panel-mounted shift control knob assembly which serves to selectively rotate a pulley and belt arrangement to thereby move a pivotally mounted bellcrank lever connected to the belt and to which a transmission shift control cable is operatively attached. Associated with the control knob assembly and with an adjacent lock mechanism is a series of linkage members which serve to concurrently lock the steering wheel and the parking brake in response to the positioning of an ignition key in the "Lock" position in the lock mechanism only after the control knob is manually placed in the "Park" position and the parking brake is manually applied. Additionally, a starter switch is associated with the control mechanism whereby the switch may be operated only in the Park or Neutral positions.

Abstract: An engine cooling arrangement embodying a single fan and various embodiments of dual concentric shrouds associated therewith for producing an ejector action for substantially diminishing recirculation of the air flow.

Abstract: An automatic transmission power train including an improved torque-pressure transducer incorporating dual concentric outer turbine and inner transducer shafts, secured together at their input ends, and having a regulating valve mounted in the center of their output ends, with the axial movement of the regulating valve being controlled by a plurality of spring-loaded, axially aligned cam members, each having oppositely disposed tabs formed thereon for alternately extending through one set or both sets of oppositely disposed relatively movable longitudinal slots formed in the two shafts, with the spread of the cam members being changed by camming action in response to the relative twists of the concentric shafts, and the regulated transducer pressure thus produced being directed to a modulator valve assembly for transmittal to the conventional transmission shift valves.

Abstract: A combined resilient filler support arrangement for physically covering the space between an energy-absorber type automobile rear bumper and the adjacent fixed rear body portion, and for inherently providing a spring action capable of returning the components thereof to their original positions after being deflected in response to an external impact against the rear bumper.

Abstract: A lock cylinder cover arrangement including a spring detent secured at one end thereof to the underside of a cover base or escutcheon, wherein the spring detent has a stop surface and a cam surface formed adjacent the other end thereof, the stop surface serving to hold open a cover pivotally mounted on the escutcheon, and the cam surface serving to be cammed downwardly toward the lock cylinder by an edge of the key-head to thereby release the stop surface from the cover and permit the latter to be biased closed upon withdrawal of the key from the lock cylinder.